Aaron Mertes was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1971. Aaron works predominately in the medium of Photography. His work deals with themes exploring urbanity, chance encounters, and random incidents. He completed his BFA at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit in 1999. He has exhibited in numerous solo and group shows in Detroit, Baltimore and Washington DC.

He lives in Baltimore, Maryland and works as a Collections Specialist for the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington DC.